News from library authorities:
BURY
A week of snowfall and a broken boiler very nearly put a chill on Ramsbottom Library's 'Word Pudding' event in early December. However Library Staff rallied admirably, gathering fan heaters from all possible sources and mulling wine to ward off the cold for the library members who made it though the deep snow and perilous ice.
The library emitted a welcoming, cosy glow in the dark night and inside Jo Bell warmed our hearts with readings from Charles Dickens to Noddy Holder with some more highbrow offerings in between. We were also treated to a dynamic performance from Tony Walsh who I have seen on youtube but never in action:
I thoroughly enjoyed his style and highly recommend him. Readers responded that it was a charming and restful break from the usual mayhem of the festive season.
Coming back to work in January after a good long break, I was flung into planning our first big author event and book promotion of 2011. Thanks to a fantastic partnership with Pan Macmillan, Bury is taking part in the ROOM Mega Read. We have been given 500 copies of 'Room' by Emma Donoghue and it is my job to get them into the hands of readers and encourage discussion, reviews and harness the word of mouth buzz that a really interesting book can generate. I've shared copies with a number of local authorities and would like to encourage anyone who has read this book to visit:
and join in the conversations taking part there.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming Emma Donoghue to Bury when she will be reading from 'ROOM' at Bury Art Gallery on Thursday 10th February at 1.30pm. Tickets for this event are almost sold out so to avoid disappointment please do contact me on 0161 253 7345, or Bury Library on 0161 253 5872 if you would like to come.
Finally, looking ahead we are delighted to be welcoming Chrissie Gittins who will be sharing stories of Lancashire at "An evening for readers: Local history and local places". Although she is based in London, poet and playwright Chrissie Gittins has never forgotten her northern roots. Chrissie, still whose parents live in Ramsbottom, feels her Lancashire background often comes through in her work and the former Bury Grammar School pupil has also had several plays performed on radio. Her warm and often surreal poetry style has won her many fans and numerous awards, including the Belmont Poetry Prize, which is exclusively for children's poets.
Chrissie will be at Ramsbottom Library and Adult Learning Centre on Monday 21st March at 7.30pm. Tickets are £3 for Library members and £4 for non-members, including refreshments and can be bought from Ramsbottom Library.
Ramsbottom Library and Adult Learning Centre
7.30pm to 9:00pm
0161 253 5352
For more information please contact: Alison Bond-McNally Tel: 0161 253 7345
Email a.e.bond@bury.gov.uk
Librarians in the North West have pioneered partnership working to encourage new readers into libraries. Time To Read is a partnership of librarians engaged in reader development activity in public library authorities in the North West Region. All 23 public library authorities in the region currently support Time To Read.